Dakar 2007

It's On!

kevhdr3, Loz, Tim Cullis and myself are booked for the Dec 27th ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao, returning on the 6th Feb. Dakar here we come :cool:

Anyone else going over?
 

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4 bods

so all that's needed is one more person !!
so that you can afford a support vehicle! :D
I wonder who can offer that service....... ;)
 
I have to say as ive already said to No6 if i see the rally great but im not that bovered if i dont. I would not want to race or rush just to see the race .
For me the ride through N/W Africa is what its about . The original idea was to ride to Timbuctu but this was dropped as the time was too short. Am i missing something or got the wrong idea?
I to would also like to go as far as possible as well but i want to enjoy the ride most rather tha rush & miss things.
Cheers Kev
 
off topic,I know,but why are the likes of Si Pavey/Charley B not competing ?

After all his training for the 06 event,I thought CB and co would be eager to try again in 07 ?
 
Although in separate teams, Si Pavey, Nick Plumb, Patsy Quick, Clive Town et al entered as a joint cooperative sharing some of the Bowler team resources. Pats and Plummy finished for the first time and I think everyone thought it was time to have a rest.

Also... Pats reckoned she finished because she downgraded from a KTM 640 to the lighter 525, and both Si and Plummywere having difficulties in sand on the heavier BMW F650s. BMW needs a lighter bike (and I mean lighter than the G650) to be viable, especially as the Dakar organisers announced that the 2007 rally would involve more, not less, sand.

As for Charley, he knows he couldn't possibly sell another Dakar attempt book/video so soon, and is concentrating on 'Long Way Down' through Africa before **possibly** having another go at the Dakar in 2008. By which time BMW might have something competitive.

Tim
 
I've just returned from 5 days trial riding in Southern Spain with Mick Extance.

114033.jpg


Since 2002 he's been the U.K's top placed rider in 3 Dakars and has finished the last 4. His entry into the 2007 Dakar will be be his most organized and serious attempt at the Dakar yet. He picks up his Honda 450CRF rally bike today and has entered with a support crew this year. He's a really nice guy - very humble and understated, loves his riding and talking to people interested in the sport.

I've told him there might be some GS riders following the Dakar so if you guys get to meet him, he'll be very welcoming to you :thumb
 
mrTickle said:
I've told him there might be some GS riders following the Dakar so if you guys get to meet him, he'll be very welcoming to you :thumb

Will certainly look out for him :thumb
 
Would this be a suitable trip for a Dakar virgin?

I have no experience of riding in the sort of terrain I expect you'd see, have no equipment for long tours whatsoever, but am interested if it's not too expensive!

What do you think?

PS I currently have Alloy wheels and Tourances fitted - are these going to survive?
 
walti said:
Would this be a suitable trip for a Dakar virgin?

As far as I know none of us has been further south than Morocco before, so it will be new to us all. Have you done any off-roading? It's a long trip, 7000 miles over 6 weeks and a lot of that will not be on tarmac. Your tyres will not be suitable, we are all taking a set of knobblies (TKC 80s) which we will fit in Morocco.
The minimum you will need is a sleeping bag, water carrier (20 litres) and extra fuel capacity, to give 40 litres. As to cost, I haven't really worked it out :eek:
The ferries will be about £250, 7000 miles worth of petrol, 20-30 nights hotel accomodation, food etc. etc. Malaria tablets and Yellow fever jabs is another £120 or so.
Only you knows the answer ;)

Edit.
I just found this............
I wobble along, recognise that I'm not too confident and try to ride within my capabilities.

My inability to control a slide on a bike means that I'm paranoid about ensuring the wheels are in line and gripping!

Would benefit from some off road training as I've only ridden off road a few times and scared myself silly each time, but it would also allow me to understand about sliding a bike around.

Will be doing some off road training, some track days and some proper touring next year if all goes as planned.
:mmmm
__________________
 
errrrr

.................20-30 nights hotel accomodation ............ :eek:
really? you'll be missing the best parts!
Take your tents, you'll be glad you did :thumb
 
dakar

Hello all, ozzy calling , has any one got any info about the ferry crossing from Algeciras to tanger or ceuta , and about how much and how regular are thay will tou need to book or just jump on . many thanks ozz :rob :nenau
 
Hi Ozzy, I think it's about 60 Euros return, they run regularly, no need to book. There are 2 options, Algeciras-Ceuta or Tarifa-Tangier. I don't think there is much difference in price .
Andy.
 
more stuff

Western Sahara. Good road all the way from Agadir to Dahkla. Watch out for the numerous fish blood dumps in laybys which have spread onto the highway. The fish lorries from Dahkla just empty their lorries of blood and melted ice straight onto the side of the road. Could be a slippery mess if still damp (they stink as well)
Dahkla to border. Good road, but less well marked and slightly narrower. Brilliant riding road and less traffic.
Border with Mauritania. 3-4 kms of poor rocky tracks and a few sand traps through minefield. Easy enough though and fun. (Saw a 38 ton artic go through here).
Border to NKC. First 10k good unmarked sealed road. Strong possibility of sand berms, watch out for these.
The new road starts from a junction after the border road crosses the ore train track. Turn right for NDB and an enjoyable time in the town (see the ship wrecks, drink beer and eat huge fish at the excellent and spotlessly clean Restaurant Canaria).
Turn left for NKC. If you run on petrol ensure that you have enough for 450k. Last December, no petrol on the road. (have things changed anyone?)
Diesel can be bought from bladders or bottles from various places along the route. There is a also a Diesel station about 50k from the ore train track junction.
The road all the way to NKC is world class brand new, well marked smooth heaven. It's a long stretch though with almost nothing to break the monotony.
Sand gets on the road and the Mauris don't seem to clear it off that fast. So look out for unexpected sand berms.
Some great dune country about two thirds of the way along
NKC to Rosso. Reasonably poor potholed and cracked road. Good enough for reasonable cruising speed, but stay alert for rough patches, holes and ruts.
One 300 metre stretch of missing road about half way along. Smooth hard packed surface though. Occasional bits where locals have dug up chunks of tarmac to repair their roofs.
Turn right in Rosso after fuel station (petrol here ususally) and before the port for road to Diama Dam (100k mixed piste, some soft sand, some corrugations, nice ride great scenery)
Or take ferry from Rosso to stay on Tarmac. Port and border a challenging experience, not recommended.
Diama Dam. Mauri exit a relaxed set of formalities. Pay fee for riding in national park
Senegal border. hundred times better than Rosso. Pay (or not) rip-off 10 euro to get through gate, then immigration, then customs. Carnet essential in my view. Douane guy was friendly and said that he was pleased to see my carnet as he wastes hours arguing with people who don't have them. His words; "no carnet, no entry".
Two camper vans at the border had been there all day and were not being allowed in. The guys in them were waiting to see what would happen.
For me, a quick chat with the Douane, a couple of stamps, ten minutes in total and I'm out of there. Unstressed and ready to enjoy Senegal
Folks do seem to be able to get these Lazzez-Passes, I suppose much depends on the atttude of the customs guy on a particular day. Others can advise on the procedure to get these. For me a Carnet always. Minimise hassle, enjoy the journey. I get enough hassle at home.

Senegal roads to Gambia good and enjoyable as far as Kaolack. Lots of check points all are OK. From there to border mixed. Starts rough, turns to total crap for about 20k and then turns into lovely smooth sweeping country road which seems to be quite new.

Gambian Border, yes they ask for the Carnet, though I understand that it isn't essential. We were on bikes and they wanted it. Plain clothes cops there who get offended if you question their credentials. This earned us a massive search of our luggage and an 'interview'. Nothing unfriedly though, just rather formal. They get very friendly once they're happy with you.

Then hellish disgrace of a road to Barra Port (15k), nervous hour on dangerously overloaded ferry and you're in Banjul.

Roads in Gambia mainly broken and potholed rubbish apart from road to airport from the Altantic coast resorts and the main road south from Banjul. The 2 metre deep pothole on the main road in Serakunda should be a tourist attraction in its own right. Avoid Westfield Junction, Serakunda in the rush hour.

Regards


not me....loz
 


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